If you're using a standing desk, you're probably using it wrong. Whether you're sitting or standing, your body just isn't meant to be perfectly still for long stretches of time. You need to remain active.
Standing still is still not as bad for you as sitting. There are lots of benefits to using standing desks over a traditional desk all on its own. But to get the most out of your standing desk, you need a way to keep yourself moving around.
But don't worry, this doesn't mean you need to start jogging in place in the office. There's an easier way to be more active at your desk: A balance board!
If you'd like to know the benefits of using a balance board along with your standing desk, and why you need one, read on. Your body will be glad you did!
You'll Do A Lot of Tiny Movements, And That's Good For You
You've probably noticed that after using your standing desk for a while, you start fidgeting. You'll start swaying back and forth, shifting your weight around, picking up your feet, things like that.
It's because you're not meant to stand perfectly still.
A balance board gets rid of that need to awkwardly fidget. By maintaining your balance on the board, you'll perform what are known as micro-movements to keep your balance.
Micro-movements are low-intensity movements that will help you stay comfortable and also have many health benefits.
If you ever find yourself fidgeting at your standing desk, try out a balance board. You'll find that your desire to fidget goes away, and you'll also be taking a step towards being in better shape.
You can even use the balance board itself as a fun way to exercise.
You'll Use Muscles You Forgot You Had
When using a board with a standing desk, you'll use muscles you haven't used before. Keeping balance on the board will require muscles in your legs and torso that you wouldn't be using if you were standing still.
You'll be doing what are called stabilization exercises, which train your core for lots of health benefits, including better balance. And best of all, you'll be doing them all while you're working. These exercises will become second nature.
You may even forget you're doing them!
You'll Stay Alert
Have you ever been working hard on something, start to tire out, and feel like you should go out, move around, maybe take a walk around the block?
That fatigue comes from staying still too long. Staying still for too long makes your blood circulation less efficient, which leads to that foggy feeling in your head.
But I get it, you're a busy person. You don't have time to drop everything and go walking. That's where a balance board comes in!
Instead of going away from your work, you will get the benefits of a brisk walk by keeping your balance on the board. The little effort it takes to keep yourself stable will keep your heart pumping, your blood flowing, and your brain sharp.
You'll Have A Healthier Heart
All those little exercises you'll be doing with your board increase your blood circulation, which along with other benefits, also helps keep your heart beating and healthy.
This doesn't mean you'll be tiring yourself out, though. The easy little movements you do while working at your standing desk and standing on your board do just enough to keep you active, without tiring you out.
If maintaining a healthy heart is something you are concerned with, you should definitely get a board to go along with your standing desk.
You'll Improve Your Posture
One of the reasons you probably started using a standing desk is because you noticed yourself slouched at a desk for hours on end.
And a standing desk is a great step to take to stop that slouching, but if you really want to take your posture to the next level, you've got to get a balance board.
It's not natural to be standing perfectly still for a long time, and you've probably noticed your shoulders start to slouch or your back starts to feel uncomfortable if you do so for a long period of time.
Because a balance board encourages small movements in order to maintain balance, you'll notice that you no longer feel uncomfortable because of standing so still.
Instead, you'll find that your posture improves because the muscles in your back are getting stronger. They're getting better at holding you up.
If you took the first step away from sitting desks because of slouching, you owe it to yourself to take the next step and improve your posture even more.
You'll Be More Productive
We've gone over the health benefits of using a board, but a balance board will also help you be more productive at work.
That energy you're keeping up by standing on the board doesn't just make you feel better, it makes it easier to keep being productive. You won't have to take valuable time away from what you're working on to remain active.
You'll feel good and you'll be better at what you're doing!
You'll Have Fun With Your Balance Board
The health benefits are great, and the increased productivity is a plus, but also using a board with your standing desk is just a lot of fun.
If you use one, you'll find yourself wanting to lean back and forth, testing what you can do with your board. It begins to feel like a skateboard without wheels. It's a great time!
You Owe It To Yourself
It's time to take the next step and improve your standing desk experience. You already know that standing desks are good for you, and now you can make them even better by adding a board.
If you want to feel better, be in better shape, be better at your job, and make your work time just a little more fun, it's time to get a balance board. You'll be glad you did!